OFWI Testifies at Canadian House of Commons Immigration Committee

Resettling Syrian Refugees in Canada

OFWI President and Founder Majed El Shafie testified in Ottawa calling on Canada to do more to help the most vulnerable minorities who are victims of the war in Iraq and Syria.

Testifying before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, Rev. El Shafie presented OFWI's report Resettling Syrian Refugees in Canada and petition with 800 signatures calling on the Canadian government to do more.

5 recommendations were made:

1. Solve the underlying problem as the source of the refugee crisis
2. Create Green Zones: safe and secure zones near their home
3. Greater involvement from countries in the region to resettle refugees
4. Prioritize the most vulnerable: minorities who often cannot access mainstream refugee supports and appropriate security screening for those welcomed to Canada.
5. Ensure the proper community supports are in place to ensure integration of refugees who come to Canada into Canadian society.

Read OFWI's Report: Resettling Syrian Refugees in Canada

EVENT: The Path Forward for Human Rights in Iran

In Ottawa February 3, 2016? Join us for:

The Path Forward for Human Rights in Iran

Join the Machzikei Hadas Congregation & One Free World International for an evening to learn about the new reality for advancing human rights in Iran.

Feature speakers will discuss how to keep the pressure on the Iranian regime to address their dismal human rights track record and what Canadians can do to help activists and minorities in Iran.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Rev. Majed El Shafie, President & Founder, One Free World International
• Rabbi Reuven Bulka, Rabbi Emeritus, Machzikei Hadas Synagogue
• Mr. Shimon Fogel, CEO, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
• Ardeshir Zarezadeh, Director, International Centre for Human Rights
• Shabnam Assadollahi, Human Rights Advocate
• Corinne Box, The Bahá'í Community of Canada
• Garnett Genuis, MP for Sherwood Park - Fort Saskatchewan
• David Kilgour

When: February 3, 2016 | 7:00-9:00pm

Where: Machzikei Hadas Synagogue, 2310 Virginia Drive, Ottawa, Ontario

RSVP: info@onefreeworldinternational.org

GTA Christian & faith communities mobilize to help Syrian refugees

One Free World International spearheads partnership to help Syrian refugees build a new home in Canada

A former refugee builds a coalition to give back by collecting clothing, household items, and furniture to help Syrian refugees build a new life.

TORONTO – The Syrian refugee crisis has captivated the conscience of Canadians from coast-to-coast and communities have stepped up to help those arriving from their war-torn homeland.  Over a hundred recently arrived Syrian refugees will visit Catch The Fire church in Toronto December 28-30 to select donated clothing, furniture, and household items to help them settle into a new home.

One Free World International (OFWI) has spearheaded an initiative to collect goods and distribute them to Syrian refugees arriving in the GTA who need them. Over a thousand items have been donated by residents across the GTA in response to OFWI and partners’ appeal for assistance.

Rev. Majed El Shafie, a former refugee and the founder of One Free World International (OFWI) knows firsthand how tough it is to arrive in Canada with little more than a suitcase.

“As a former refugee and victim of persecution, the support offered by faith communities at a very daunting time goes a long way.” said Rev. Majed El Shafie. “By helping Syrian refugees settle into a new home today, we’re building the foundation for success of new Canadians tomorrow.”

One Free World International partnered with Catch The Fire, The Well on Bayview, My Canada, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, and community leaders to coordinate the effort. Volunteers have worked over the holidays to setup and operate the drop-off centre, picked up donated items, and arranged transportation to help refugees select items and move them to their new homes.

More information visit: http://www.onefreeworldinternational.org/we-need-your-help/

Media Contact: media@conaptus.ca

We Need Your Help

3 Things You Can Do To Help Syrian Refugees

With all the coverage Syrian refugees has been receiving in the news, and deservedly so, you may not know where to turn to offer help. Hundreds of Syrian refugees will be arriving in Toronto in the coming days and we need your help!

Here are 3 things you can do to help:

1. Donate a household item on the list below.
2. Volunteer to help coordinate the effort.
3. Support OFWI's Fundraising Campaign to help save lives in Iraq and Syria.

Donate an item on the list below:

If you live in the GTA, we are desperately looking for the following donated materials:

1. Beds 2. Mattresses & bed frames 3. Tables, chairs, sofas 4. Small kitchen appliances 5. Cooking utensils 6. Bath materials 7. Flatware 8. TTC tokens or Metropass 9. Clothes & boots (washed) 10. TVs 11. Any other household materials

Volunteer to help coordinate the effort:

Volunteers are also needed to help during the drop-off and pickup times listed above. If you can volunteer, please send us an email to let me know when.

Support OFWI's Fundraising Campaign to help save lives in Iraq and Syria.

If you do not have these items or live outside the GTA you can still help. Please make a donation to OFWI's Generosity seasonal appeal campaign. Funds raised will go to those who remain in Iraq & Syria and desperately need our help.

Thank you for contributing what you can. Please join us in helping those who need it most this Christmas.

One Free World is proud to be leading a team of partners to help with this important effort: